Frequently Asked Questions.

How much will my web site cost?

• Your web site can vary in cost from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. For a site similar to this one you would have to budget about $700-$900 for design and construction of the site. Maintenance and any changes done after the site is completed are additional. Some sites can be done for as little as $150. A good rule of thumb is to budget about $60 per page on your web site.
• There are some other expenses associated with having a web site. A domain name (www.yourcompany.com) is $35 per year. Additionally, hosting services range in price from $10 to more than $100 depending on your needs. Hosting with COLE Publishing Inc. is only $19.95/month.

What is a host?

• A host, or hosting service, is the company that stores or keeps your web site on a computer to be accessed by people on the world wide web. The "host" is basically a computer hooked to a high speed access line that "serves" your web site up to the people requesting it via the world wide web.

What is a domain name and where do I get one?

• A domain name is your address on the world wide web. For example, ours is www.colepublishing.com. You can secure and search for available domain names at www.networksolutions.com. Domain names should be easy to remember and say without spelling. For example, the domain name www.inspectpipes-4-u.com might be easy to remember, but when you say it over a telephone or just say it to someone, it may be confusing becuse you have to distinguish between 4 and for, u and you and tell them where the hyphens are located.

Why do I need a web site? 

• Now that's a tough one. Some people quite honestly don't. However, because advertsing via a web site is relatively inexpensive when compared to newspaper, Yellow Pages, etc. it canbe a worthwhile endeavor. Web sites can save you time and money by answering common questions from customers, providing online forms, reservations, generating leads, and providing general information about your company. Additionally, web sites offer 24/7/365 accessability. If you think you would benefit from any of those services then you would benefit from a web site.

How long will it take to get my site up and running?

• Web sites can go live very quickly once you take a few initial steps. 

1. Determine what your Interent goals are - do you want an information site, are you selling a product, do you want an interactive site for your clients?
2. Do you want to start with a small site to begin with or do you have a functioning business you want to put online today?
3. Think of a few domain names that expresses yourself or your business. Remember, in general, shorter is better.
4. Gather all the material you have together. This can include pictures, company brochures, direct mailings, Yellow Page ads and more.
5. Outline what you want to include and what categories it should be broken down by.
6. CALL US! We offer free consultation, Q & A and general knowledge to get your site up and running.

• Once these initial steps are completed, simple sites, like this one, can be up and running within the same day! 

How many pages do I need?

• You need enough pages to convey your information in an organized and efficient manner. Different topics, products or ideas should all ideally be on separate pages.

How do I sell products on the web?

• VERY CAREFULLY! Many people believe that a web site is an instant ticket to a pot of gold - NOT TRUE! Many web sites that sell products can cost thousands of dollars to develop yet may only sell several products per week or even month. Remember that when you sell products on the web you are now competing Globally. Unless you have unique or niche products, selling on the web can sometimes be more hassle than profits.

What images can go on my web page?

• Photos, brochures, logos and digital images can all be converted to web images to increase the personality of your web-site. Also, unlike traditional printing, color doesn't cost you more.

How can I make people aware of my web-site?

• COLE Publishing Inc. will register your company with the major search engines (about 8) free of charge to generate initial traffic to your site. There are also many services that can register your new site with hundreds of different web sites for a fee. We can help you contact such companies if you are interested. Additionally, you should include your new web site address on business cards, signs, advertisements, anywhere you can think of.